Sherwin Long
2000 MAX Fellow
Boston Renaissance Charter Public School, Boston, MA
In 2000, Sherwin penned an award-winning essay recounting his heroic act of saving his brother from drowning. His remarkable story was later showcased in a book written by T. A. Barron titled "The Hero's Trail: A Guide for a Heroic Life," which celebrated the extraordinary achievements of children.
Reflecting on the experience, Sherwin writes:
“Being a Max courage essay winner impacted my life in an interesting way! It made me feel like I was a hero! To be recognized for saving my brother's life and being able to share that moment with my family and others was a great fulfilling feeling. I ran into the teacher [who] helped me work on the essay and we couldn’t believe it has been 20 years since then. We talked and laughed about how she had to bribe me with food to sit down and stay focused. It’s amazing how precious moments become old memories lost in time. An author used my story from the courage book in his book about historical heroic icons like Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman and a plethora of others. I’m very grateful to be considered and hope that MAXCourage continues to highlight the unsung heroes!”
Sherwin holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art and Design and works as an illustrator today. His work has been displayed in local businesses and libraries, and featured in special exhibitions at the Massachusetts statehouse and in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts’s digital gallery. He has also taught art classes and helped organize arts and cultural events in his community.